Practice golf game apparatus



A. J- JACKSON PRACTICE GOLF GAME APPARATUS Au yls, 1950 Filed June 17, 1947 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 TI! OFF FOR EACH HOLE l I l IIII]]] INVENTOR. Adz/barf J Jac/rao/z ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1950 Filed June 17, 1947 A. J. JACKSON PRACTICE com GAME APPARATUS v2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AdeYber/JJac/raon INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 1950 l PRACTICE ABBARATUS fiflelbert 2L HacksofifiKu-lama'mo, Mich; 1 App ication when, 1947,;SeriaL-No. 155,123

"Thisinvention'reia'tes to h practice-ggcl'figaine apparatus. i v v Themaiin (ibjCtS"UFthiTiHYfiti-OD rare 7 First; t; pmiiigie a game apparatus" simulatin agoifgame; A

-See'ond; to provide a *game apparatus? having these advantages; in which the' apparatu'sma yihe usedwithwerylittleheise.' i i Third, to provide an aipparaitus embodyin theseadvantagesWhiehmybeveryeconamically prod-mew and at the -samei time "isstrong "and durable. V

"flbiiects' relating ()dfitfiflSffiIld "economies bf the-invention will appear "from the-description to fellow: "The inventior'ris defined and. pointedmtt in the claims. r

t Breferred embediments-bf the inverr'ticnere the-sbase member-on a timecorresponding {to line -=-15 OfE g; 1. V

ai -f-raigmeiiteiryi side elevational View viewed :fremthe end orthe arm in'Fig: 6.

Rig; 8ris aa nzenzlarged fmgmentary view mainiy in-sectinzen line 28- 48 M R-1g; 6.

E Fig; :9: is ar-fragmentary pl'an V-ie'w df a medified farm aft-21ml} retainer .for the arm.

My presentirwention-is an improvement upeh and in csnme respects ism ada tation-of the-game nmmtus f my "Patent 2186,83? issuedflanuary 9;.1MQ. x i i time ambndimentiofthe inveiition iiiustreitedifi;

Figs. 1-139 5 indlusivezcomprises aboa-rd -ii'ke ase memhendesigmtediigeneiietliy lby the mumereul l and Qesirehiy zeircularv in shejpe, the base-membez: eempris-ingthe 1133161 2 surnounded by 'a; rim 3.

'lhe pamel-l 2;;mayrfloe diermed 01f:mtflti"*ply-veneer r but I have not; illustraterlrthe veneer as 'e' tene'er' stmcturer-is weliumderstood;

' The besehmemherhasa helmet we anew:

ingthe pivot .secketigthis pivotasocketihav ing a flange 6: at its ampper: end: and a heing threaded at its-vplowerwend te teceivexthe 3;..a rwasher 3 in ea -ranged betweenthernutrendthe bottom is anehla-rg-ed fragmentary --sectiona;1"

eel-ems. (cum-= provided with a pin, l0 engaging-'the'socketise thatfthearm is pivotally mounted on'lthe base member-to wing in. a, horizontal plenejabove. the surface .there'of. "I t will 'be no'tedfithait the ,pivot H1 is positioned close to the inner end of the arm =so thatthe 'armis'riot counterbalanced as'is the case with the arm of the .structure of "my s'aii'ii patent.

' The'weight ofthe arm on the'beariiig also re: tards the arm so that the impectofthe stroke :of the "player is 'a very "important 'factbrin play- .armis counterbalanced.

ing 'thergam'e'. These featuresflmakejthegame quite I lai gely one .of skillinstea' d ,of a, game bf" chance which was iargely the :case with the apparatus of-"my aforesaid patent "in' which "the The arm9' 'comprises apair'o'f thin hon-metallic sirie members l1 preferablybfwcod. The black l2 which receives the-pivot "Wis :disposed between the inner ends of the arms, theerms' being ad hesively secured. to the sides $01 the pivot mack.

The enter 'ends cf the arms are secured upon the sides' of the spaced block-like members I 3 and M which members, coacting with the side member s, form a ball receiving-chamber 1'5 open "at the bottom sdthat a ball 16 errengeii'inthefchamber may ro'llin'gly engage the "surface of fthe base member.

The chamber l 5fh asa' bottom 'bcrticri na t the outer end 01 itsbcttom opening The "chamber is bf'such lengthaste receive the ballflunder the lines in'Fig; '2 and 'support the-bal l'but qf coritact with the-suritwe =o'f the base.

' The-impact ball 1e is secured 'Qnthe' upp'erside of the arm-, preferably-hierearwerdiy ofisetrelaa tionthereto es shown in the draWin'gsxThis impact ball is desirably qufle soft and resi1i'ent.

The base member has a plur'aiity of scoring; pockets? 2'0 arranged- 'ineri annular-series 'ceritere'cirin "the arm pivot and'inithe zone traversed by the ball l5. These pockets representthe fgreenv pockets:ret e, golf course and they are numbered 1.11049 incli sive. i Inter-mediate certeiiii' of: these scoring pockets m 'I m'ovifi'e' "hazard repositioned. reiativerite the scoring pockets and somer-ofithem at varying distances from the arm pivotg: They are all preferably of a. less dierri-eter "than: 'the-"scoring pockets. The 5 scoring p'oc kets" are desirably of substantial-1y greater fimrnete'r than-the :baiiuit'and are'preferably provided with concave-convex .alii'aizogs which i are edhe'sively securediwithinthe recesses 26 in the face of the baee.

: With the: pockets-bircbnsidenabiy grett'er iiiameter thamithe :bel'hfinterestis addedbecause' Whenthearm stops with th'e ball on the lip of "the" pocket or cut) it may impart su i'iicient movement V tel-the amn te'causethebali to fail into the pocket provided with a coating such as enamel common-1' ly employed on golf balls.

It is to be noted that the scoring pockets are concaved throughout so that the ball comesto rest-on the bottom as shown in Fig. 3 and that the rims of the pockets substantially exceed the diameter of the ball. that it permits the playing of the ball from a pocket as the ball can roll out of the pocket when the impact ball is struck with a, minimum of playing ball resistance. If the pockets have an abrupt shoulder the ball .is likely tov wedge be: tween the front wall of the pocket and the rear wall of the chamber as the arm is struck. vIt is contemplated that in playing the game, after driving past the tee, the player mustplay, from the track or pocket or hazard as the ball may come to rest.

Certain of the hazard pockets have legends associated therewith as for example lost ball and. the rules of the game may be such asto provide penalties for a lost ball. I have not shown legends in connection with the other hazards but it is contemplated that the rules may provide stroke penalties when a ball comes to rest in one of these hazard recesses.

The base is provided with a marker 28 repre-' senting a tee. The base is also provided with a diagram designated generally by the numeral 29 with pointers 30 having numerals associated therewith to indicate the par of av particular scoring pocket or cup.

The face of the base member is provided with anannular surface material 20! having an irregular inner outline, this surfacing material being desirably colored and having a'roughened surface resulting from the application of flock or some other suitable material to a binding ma: terial of such thickness as to present araised surfacethat is, raised relative to the face of the board. The portions of this raised surface are in the path of the ball and serve to deflect the ball and to retard the ball when, it comes into contact with the portions as 202 which project into the path of the ball. Also the scoring pockets or grooves are surrounded by this sur-- facing material so that it may stop the ball when the speed of the arm is quite low. Other ob-- structions in the path of the ball are 'shown' at 203. I v

In play, the impact ball is struck with a golf club, preferably a putter and skill andexperience. count in the successful scoring play. The rubber ball and the buffer with the rubber impact element [9 substantially eliminate noise in the use of the apparatus. The inwardly projecting. flange 3| on one of the side members 9 serves to retain the ball so that it does-not fly out of the top of the arm chamber. I

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8,.the arm 32 is formed of a fiat bar 33 having a pivot block 34 at its inner endreceiving the pivot l0. At its outer end, the arm is provided with a ball holder 35 for the ball It, the chamber 36 of this holder being provided with a coiled spring buffer 31 which is desirably quite yielding so that it servesto return the ball to the inner end of the chamber: andallow it totravel on the surface of the board or base mem- This is of importance in I 4 her. In this embodiment, the impact ball 38 is provided with a stem 39 preferably formed of wire and angled, the stem being arranged through-a vertical bore M1 in the arm and provided with'a head 4| engaging the'lower end of the tension spring 42. A helically coiled conigcal spring 43 is arranged in a seat 44 provided therefor on the upper side of the arm surroundmember is struck the yielding spring seat 44 thereof allows the ball to tilt and to swivel around about the stem, the tension spring 43 also yielding to some extent and relieving the stem of severe. stresses. 7 This embodiment adds to the interest of the game as it permits the player to position the impact ball as he may thinkdesirable' through quite ,a wide range;

" In the modification of Fig. 9 the ball,retainer is in the form of a loop of wire 35l disposed above the ball chamber of the arm. This provides a simple and economical means for retaining the ball. l

I have illustrated and described the invention in highlypractical embodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain further embodiments'or adaptations as it'is believed thatv this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and'desire-to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In game apparatus, the combination of a base member, an arm pivotally mounted on said base member to swing in a horizontal plane above the surface thereof, said arm having a chamber adjacent theouter end of said arm open at the bottom to permit the ball to rollingly engage the base and enter the scoring pockets and hazard recesses, the said chamber having a bottom portion extending from the outer end of the bottom opening adapted to receive the ball when it is actuated by, centrifugal force, the 55 front wall of said chamber being provided with an overhanging ball retaining flange, and a resilient bumper at theouter end 'of said cham-.

ber with which the ball impinges when actuated by centrifugal force, said bumper being 'of 'sufficient resiliency to tend to return the ball.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member, an-arm pivotally mounted on the base member to swing in a horizontal'plane above the surface thereof, said arm having an impact member at its outer end,-the pivot being closely adjacent the inner end of the arm to substantially eliminate counterweighting effect on the outer end of the arm, said'base having a plurality of recesses arranged in a generallyannular series centered in the arm pivot, a ball, said arm having a ball holder chamber adjacent its outer end open at the bottom to permit the ball to rollingly engage the base member inthe annular zone'of said extending outwardly from the outer end of the bottom opening adapted to supportingly receive the ball when it is actuated outwardly by centrifugal force, and a spring bumper at the outer end of said chamber with which the ball engages under the action of centrifugal force, the bumper tending to return the ball to position to rollingly engage the base member.

3. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member, an arm pivotally mounted on said base member closely adjacent to its inner end to swing in a horizontal plane above the surface of the base member, said arm having an impact member at its outer end, said base member having a plurality of recesses arranged in a generally annular series, a ball, said arm having a ball chamber at its outer end open at the bottom to permit the ball to rollingly engage the base in the annular zone of said recesses as the arm swings on its pivot, said chamber having a bottom portion extending from the outer end of the bottom opening thereof adapted to receive the ball when it is actuated outwardly by centrifugal force, and a resilient bumper at th outer end of the chamber with which the ball impinges under the actionof centrifugal force.

4. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member, an arm pivotally mounted on said base member closely adjacent to its inner end to swing in a horizontal plane above the surface of the base member, said arm having an impact member at its outer end, said base member having a plurality of recesses arranged in a generally annular series, a rubber ball, said arm having a ball chamber at its outer end open at the bottom to permit the ball to rollingly engage the base in the zone of .said recesses as the arm swings on its pivot, said chamber having a bottom portion extending from the outer end of the bottom opening thereof adapted to receive the ball when it is actuated outwardly by centrifugal force, and a resilient bumper at the outer end of the chamber with which the ball impinges under the action of centrifugal force.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member, an arm comprising apair of thin non-metallic side members, a pivot block secured between the inner ends of the side members,

block-like members disposed between the outer ends of said side members in longitudinally spaced relation and coacting with the side members to provide an elongated ball chamber, the outer member of said block members having an inward.- ly inclined bottom portion, one of the side members having an inwardly projecting ball retaining flange, and a ball arranged in said chamber, the c bottom opening of the chamber being such as to permit the ball to travel on the base member except when subject to sufiicient centrifugal force to lift it from said bottom opening, said base memher being provided with an annular series of recesses over which the bottom opening of said arm sweeps as the arm is swung on its pivot.

6, In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member, an arm comprising a pair of thin non-metallic side members, a pivot block secured between the inner ends of the side members, block-like members disposed between the outer ends of said side members in longitudinally spaced relation and coacting with the side members to provide an elongated ball chamber, the outer member of said block members having an inwardly inclined bottom portion, and a ball arranged in said chamber, the bottom opening of the chamber being such as to permit the ball to travel on the base member except when subject to sufficient centrifugal force to lift it from said bottom opening, said base member being provided with an annular series of recesses over which the bottom opening of said arm sweeps as the arm is swung on its pivot.

'7. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member, an arm pivotally mounted on said base member, said arm having a ball chamber at its outer end open at the bottom, a ball arranged in said chamber, the bottom opening of the chamber permitting the ball to rollingly engage the surface of the base member, the outer end of the chamber being adapted to receive the ball and support it out of engagement with the base mem-- ber when the speed of rotation of the arms exceeds a predetermined rate, a resilient impact ball, an angled anchoring stem projecting downwardly from said impact ball through said arm, a helically coiled seating spring for said ball seated on the top of said arm, and a tensioning spring for said stem arranged below said arm, the thrust of said seating spring and tensioning spring being in opposite directions.

8. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member, aniarm pivotally mounted on said base member, said arm having a ball chamber at its outer end open at the bottom, a ball arranged in said chamber, the bottom opening of the chamber permitting'the ball to rollingly engage the surface of the base member, the outer end of the chamber being adapted to receive the ball and support it out of engagement with the base member when the speed of rotation of the arm exceeds a predetermined rate, an impact ball, an anchoring stem projecting downwardly from said impact ball through said arm, a seating spring for said ball, and a tensioning spring for said stem arranged below said arm.

9. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base member having a central vertical bor therethrough, an arm pivotally mounted on said base member having ,a ball chamber at its outer end open at the bottom, a ball arranged in said chamber, the bottom opening of the chamber permitting the ball to rollingly engage the surface of the base member, the outer end of the chamber being adapted to receive the ball and support it out of engagement with the base member when the speed of rotation of the arm exceeds a predetermined rate, an impact ball, an anchoring stem for said impact ball, and a helically coiled seating spring for said ball seated on the top of said arm around said stem. I

ADELBERT J. JACKSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 450,759 Peterson Apr. 21, 1891 649,190 Zimmerman May 8, 1900 1,420,334 Neuner June 20, 1922 1,462,471 Alpiner July 24, 1923 2,186,337 Jackson Jan. 9, 1940 

